The solar benefits of a sunburnt country

Extreme heat seems set to have become the new norm for us Aussies.

The recent heatwaves broke weather records, especially here in Penrith where we saw the mercury climb as high as 46.9.

Luckily for us, though, we managed to avoid the blackouts that hit other areas. But it could so easily have been us who were left without the comfort of air conditioning, fans or even cold water from the fridge. And when you consider that we’re usually the ones with the highest number on the nightly weather map (as well as our friends over in Richmond), it’s scary.

What’s really frightening is that our hottest summer on record is unlikely to be a one-off. This means that all of us – from entire families through to the elderly – will no longer be able to classify things like air conditioning as a ‘luxury’. It’s becoming an essential, but one that will continue to cost us an arm and a leg.

Or will it?

Turn on the sun to beat the heat

The extreme heat of our wide brown land may be a problem, but also brings its own relief. As individuals, we can harness the forces of nature for our benefit thanks to modern technology.

How? Solar power.

We all know how huge power stations are. Even the average sub-station in suburban Kingswood is about the same size as neighbouring homes. But it’s 2017, and thanks to photovoltaic panels (best known as solar panels to we normal folk) and solar storage batteries, every house can be its own power station.

Solar power has come a long way since the very first (and very expensive!) solar hot water heaters started to emerge on Australian roofs more than 60 years ago.

Panels that could be hooked up to power everything in the house, from the TV and lights though to the fridge and microwave, hit the market late last century. But, of course, what was generated on the roof wasn’t what fired up the average household appliance.

Instead, it was fed back into the power grid. This same power then came back into the property in the normal way.

Fast-forward to today, and solar panels are not only an affordable option but they also provide significant advantages. Not only is the power you generate from your roof used to power your home, but the excess can also be sold back to the electricity company.

And thanks to the ability to store that same power in the new breed of solar batteries on the market, we can use our own power as needed.

No more reliance on the grid, no more expensive bills. It’s a game changer.

The incredible benefits of solar

Prices are decreasing as us Aussies embrace the tech

Australians lead the world as early adopters of new technology. (Smartphone anyone?) In fact, The Climate Council predicts that half of all households in Australia are predicted to adopt a solar system, with battery storage, over the next ten years.

We’re already far ahead of the rest of the world, with 27.4 million solar panels (and counting) having been installed as at January this year.

And as more and more people put solar panels on the roof, the more the price falls. The same goes for the relatively new solar storage batteries, pioneered by Tesla. The more we buy, the less they’ll cost.

When being a “Westie” is wonderful

Australia isn’t called the sunburnt country for nothing. Our country averages more solar radiation per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. In fact, it’s 10,000 times more energy than we use. Bad news for vampires. Very good news for the rest of us, especially in the warm west. So for us Penrith folk, we can really get a great return from our system.

Tell the power company where to go

Politely, of course! Seriously though, it’s a great feeling not to be beholden to a faceless entity that supplies something that’s a necessity, not a luxury, but ups the price whenever they feel like it and can’t even guarantee supply.

Solar panels and batteries give us financial independence from big companies and, after set-up costs, provide free power. And if we sell back to the grid, they can reduce our overall electricity costs even further!

Going… Going… Gone!

Home buyers are increasingly attracted to properties that are energy and water efficient. Some even make it a prerequisite when listing the features they are seeking when briefing real estate agents. So installing solar panels, especially if you go the whole hog and have storage batteries, gives your home a positive selling point. And of course, solar will undeniably add to its value.

Luxuries like air conditioning and home pools are becoming essential, but ones that will continue to cost us an arm and a leg.

Or will they?

Do your bit for the planet

Even if you don’t plan to move any time soon, installing a solar power system can reduce your carbon footprint. Unlike traditional electricity sources, solar energy is green, clean and renewable.

The panels don’t release greenhouse gases and don’t pollute the air. Yes, electricity is used the make them, but it’s minimal compared to the power you can save and pollution you prevent by having them. I know I’m a bit of a greenie at heart, but I really am committed to proactively improving the sustainability of our planet for our children and their children – one energy-efficient solution at a time.

H2GO

Water, another scarce resource on the world’s driest continent, is another resource we’re all incredibly conscious of conserving. With Warragamba Dam just up the road, its water levels (and safety) have been a big part of the Penrith community psyche for decades. Changing over to solar energy greatly reduces the water consumption used to produce other forms of energy, making sure it’s available for the things we really need it for, like drinking.

In an age when everyone is concerned about reducing pollution while also being conscious of spending, solar power plays an important part. Its production generates no waste and doesn’t even create noise.

In the end, solar is very much a part of Australia’s energy future. And as more and more people seek to free themselves of the rising costs and inevitable unreliability of grid dependence, our sundrenched Nepean shores will prove to be our greatest asset.

 

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10 ways to improve your eco credentials at home

Sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact

Getting started is often the hardest step – whether it be writing your very first blog post (eek!) or reducing your carbon footprint. We hear you!

But often, it’s the culmination of small changes that have the largest impact. As a result we’ve put together a simple list to get you on your way to improving your eco credentials around the home.

Buy in season…

Avoid fruit and veggies that have been flown halfway around the world and shop at your local farmers market. Not only will you be supporting local suppliers, you’ll have less plastic in your life and a far better taste in your mouth!

Fix that tap!

It’s difficult to conceptualise, but a slow leaking tap can waste an incredible 20,000 litres of water per annum. That’s the entire amount available each year to many people around the world.

 Say no to plastic

In excess of 450,000 recyclable plastic supermarket bags are dumped into landfill every hour (horrifying but true!). Be prepared, and bring your own bags when grocery shopping.

 Use the cold wash

About three-quarters of the energy and greenhouse gas emissions from washing a load of laundry comes purely from heating the water. There’s no need to boil your load; manage your settings and just chill.

Use a dishwasher

It’s not a myth, it’s true – washing up by hand with hot water and rinsing really does leave a bigger carbon footprint than a dishwasher.

Fill your dishwasher, put it on an energy efficient setting and go tend to your herbs…

Grow your own herbs

They taste better, give you a chance to get outside in the sunshine, you’ll save money and you’ll never have a bland dish again. Too easy!

Use your (good old Aussie) hills hoist

Reduce your carbon footprint by using the great Aussie invention, the Hills Hoist. Relish the warmth of the sunshine on your clothes. It beats a dryer any day and you’ll have the extra coins in your pocket.

Recycle your plastic bags

Sometimes plastic bags are unavoidable; the good news is that most supermarkets have recycling stations for your convenience. Save your plastic bags and next time you’re at the shops, pop them into the recycling – it’s that simple.

Avoid free bags

How many do you really need? Around the world, we use and throw away a trillion recyclable bags every year. Crazy! Bring your own bags, dust off your Nanna’s trolley, or just carry your shopping in your hot little hands.

Use renewable energy

Electricity accounts for about 53% of the energy used in Australian households but creates around 87% of the greenhouse gas emissions (DEWHA 2008). Limit your greenhouse gas emissions where you can by utilising renewable energy sources, such as solar panels.

Do you have any more tips?

We’d love to know your thoughts and tips for an eco friendly home! Comment below and let us know your tips for reducing your carbon footprint – we love new ideas!

10 ways to improve your eco credentials at work

If we all made a single change, imagine the difference

We Australians spend a huge chunk of our lives working, yet we aren’t always as aware of the carbon footprint we leave behind at work.

The way we lead our lives at both home and work is hugely important. Just one of the points below will help you reduce your carbon footprint, but see if you can get the 10/10.

Think about your transport

You can improve your eco credentials as soon as you step out the front door. Buddy up and carpool with a mate, or catch the local public transport to work. Better still, if you’re close enough, walk or cycle to the office.

Either way, you’ll get to have a chat with a friend, improve your fitness and reduce your carbon footprint, all in one go.

Keep your cup to yourself

Australians love a coffee. Over 46% of the population drink the hot stuff and we throw away 2.7 million disposable cups each day. Yes, that’s right – each DAY!

BYO cup and you may get a discount from your barista, as well as the warm and fuzzies for doing your bit.

Green your space

If you didn’t get any fresh air on your work commute, you can still add greenery to your workspace for aesthetics and better quality air. Plants absorb indoor air pollution and increase the flow of air within the office. Green your space and improve your health!

Stop wasting paper

Australians throw away millions of tonnes of paper each year. We get it; sometimes you just have to press ‘print’ (and those of us in the older age bracket are still slowly moving from hard-copy reliance).

If you find yourself not being able to avoid the print button, make it double-sided, on recycled paper, and recycle your printing once you’ve finished with it.

Recycle ink cartridges

They are a necessity of office life, but you can be smarter with the choices you make with ink cartridges.

Check that your brand of ink is from sustainable resources, and recycle cartridges when you’re done with them. Some ink companies even come and collect your used cartridge for you.

BYO lunch

Pack your own lunch for the day and reduce the amount of disposable plastic in the world. Over 100 billion pieces of disposable plastic cutlery are used and thrown out every year, often ending up in our waterways.

Plus, a home-made meal always tastes better, right?

Say no to plastic water bottles

Bring your bottle from home and refill it with tap water as you need. Pre-packaged water has to be pumped from the ground, packaged, transported and chilled before it gets to us. That’s quite a process only for it to get thrown in the bin!

Say yes to tap.

Digitise, digitise, digitise

The greenest office is a paperless office. We’re living in a digital world and with so many cloud-based options, there’s almost no need to print. Think about what can be stored and managed in the cloud; it’ll not only reduce paper, but also remove the clutter in your office.

Turn it off!

Sleep is overrated when it comes to your computer. Many of us think that we’re doing the right thing by putting our screens into sleep mode when we leave for the day, but the reality is that it just doesn’t cut it.

If you’re going to be away for more than two hours, then shut your computer down. More than 20 minutes? Feel free to hit snooze. Being more conscious about power consumption means that you’ll conserve our natural resources and keep that carbon footprint down. It also means your computer will have the opportunity to take some much-needed time out so it can perform the following day, saving time and money over the longer term.

Energy audits

Maybe there’s a whole lot more that can be done in your office, but you don’t know how or where to start? An energy audit could be the way to go.

Some Solar Installers will undertake an energy audit using a data logger<link to relevant question in FAQs>. It will pinpoint your peak consumption periods and highlight any energy loss within your building. This will give you a good foundation on which to build your energy efficiency plan.

Do you have any more tips?

We’d love to know your thoughts and tips for an eco friendly workplace! Comment below and let us know your tips for reducing your carbon footprint – we love new ideas!

5 questions to ask before installing solar on your home

Getting started is often the hardest step – whether it be writing your very first blog post (eek!) or reducing your carbon footprint. We’ve put together a simple list to get you on your way and improve your eco credentials around the home.

Solar doesn’t need to be complex. You just need to know the facts. Learn the questions you need to ask before installing solar on your home.

Solar energy is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home. As a result, you need to feel comfortable with your choice of installer, system and products. We’ve put together the top 5 questions to ask before installing solar on your home.

What are the types of solar power systems available for households?

Australian households are spoilt for choice when it comes to the solar power systems we have available, as follows.

Grid-connect solar is the most common form of solar system installed in Australia. Most houses with grid-connect solar systems use solar power first before sourcing electricity from the grid. When the panels are not producing electricity at night, electricity is supplied from the electricity grid.

Hybrid solar is a grid-connect solar system with battery  back-up – hybrids are becoming increasingly popular in Sydney. Solar customers in many states are now receiving a low price for electricity sold back to the electrical grid, making battery back-up systems a viable alternative. You can use electricity stored during the day to run your house at night and still have the advantage of being able to supply power to your home during power outages.

Stand alone solar is sometimes known as off-grid solar systems, as these type of systems are not connected to the electricity grid. They are typically installed in remote areas where there is limited connection to the grid, or areas of low electricity demand. Unlike grid-connected systems, stand alone solar must have batteries or backup generation to provide supply at night. In many cases they will also include a diesel or petrol generator to supplement energy supply.

What size system do I need?

Energy consumption varies across Australian households. The more you can tailor your solar system to suit your needs, the more savings you will make in the long-term.

The best way to find out your specific needs is to arrange a site inspection and talk with your local solar installer about what your desired outcomes are and the best way to reach them.

Some of the things to consider are:

–        Where you live

–        The number of people in your home

–        How you heat and cool your home

–        How many appliances you have

–        What time of the day you actually use most of your electricity, and

–        Whether you want to be independent of the electricity grid.

Combined with your electricity bills, these tips will give you an idea as to what size and type of solar panel system you will need.

How do I ensure a reliable installation?

Always have a Clean Energy Council Accredited Installer (such as E-Smart installers) perform your solar panel installation. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia and ensures that all installers are kept up-to-date with changes in the industry and hold the relevant licenses and insurances.

The CEC website lists the names of installers and their accreditation. E-Smart Solar is authorised for both the design and installation of Grid-connect and Stand Alone Power (off-grid systems), and is also a member of the Clean Energy Council.

To make sure your solar panels work at their peak, it’s important that you and your installer take a few things into consideration:

Reliability: You should know the brand, efficiency and performance rating of the solar panels that will be on your home. View the components that make up your solar power system as a consumer item, and research the warranty and workmanship associated with each energy product.

Panel location: Solar panels are best installed on an unshaded rooftop facing north.

Tilt: The solar panels will need to be installed at a specific angle, or tilt, to maximise the amount of sunlight the solar panels receive.

How do I maintain my system?

One of the benefits of having a solar power system installed is that they are a low-maintenance investment. Keep your solar panels clear from debris and dirt build-up, and have an accredited installer check that the system is functioning safely and efficiently periodically. This will allow you to maximise the savings on your power bills for years to come.

How much does a system cost?

The price of your solar system may be affected by a number of factors. Discuss these with your solar installer during a site inspection. Factors can include:

–        Government incentives and support schemes

–        Contractor installation costs

–        The type and number of panels

–        The type and size of inverter

–        The type of framing equipment and other system components

–        Whether you choose a battery option

–        The height and accessibility of roof, and whether it is tiled or metal or concrete, and

–        Any after sales service agreements.

Have a question?

We’re always happy to talk all things solar – give us a call on 02 4703 5411 or shoot us an email. We’re here to help!